The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) asks the public
to report suspicious fishing activities by contacting your nearest DFO
office, or by anonymously calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS
(8477), www.canadiancrimestoppers.org, or by texting TIP190 and your
message to 274637 (crimes).

HALIBUT CLOSURE

DFO catch information indicates that the recreational share of the
Total Allowable Catch for halibut was achieved by early September.
Therefore, recreational fishing for halibut under the BC Tidal Waters
Sport Fishing License closed September 6, 2017 for the balance of the
year.

This Atlantic salmon was caught in the Salmon River on Vancouver Island.
The faceless angler is a federal fisheries employee who fears for his
job security if he is perceived to be making an anti-aquaculture
statement in his off duty fishing.

ATLANTIC SALMON SPAWNING IN ISLAND RIVERS

Atlantic salmon are showing up in our rivers. Hundreds of thousands of
Atlantic salmon were freed into the Salish Sea this August after the
structural collapse of a Cooke Aquaculture fish farm in Washington
State. Some of those fish were caught in nets by First Nations fleets
and commercial salmon fishers. The remainder have dispersed throughout
the area, and they have been caught off all coasts of Vancouver Island.

Alarmingly they have been turning up in rivers, including the
Nooksack, Puyallup and Snahomish rivers in Washington State, The
Harrison and Fraser on the BC mainland and more recently in Vancouver
Island rivers.

Some of the Atlantic salmon were unable to feed normally, their
stomachs full of inedible substances like wood chips and mussel shells.

Atlantic salmon in local waters is not new. Since the 1990s almost a
million escaped from salmon farms. Despite the industry and the
government’s assurances that they could never reproduce and displace
native Pacific salmon, river snorkel surveys have shown that Atlantic
salmon have spawned and hatched in several Vancouver Island rivers.
Forensic analysis of scales and body tissue has proven that these fish
were hatched in the wild not in fish farms. They have also been found
spawning in Alaskan rivers, where Atlantic salmon farming is illegal.

In a paper entitled, Evidence of Natural Reproduction of
Aquaculture-Escaped Atlantic Salmon in a Coastal British Columbia River
University of Victoria biologist John Volpe said, "Twelve juvenile
Atlantic salmon composed of two year classes were captured in the
Tsitika River, British Columbia." He goes on to explain his process and
conclusion that escaped Atlantic salmon are spawning in our rivers. He
gathers his data by personally snorkel-swimming the rivers

Whether these spawners pose a risk to the continued existence of our
native fish is not certain. Efforts to deliberately introduce Atlantic
salmon to the Pacific in the mid 1900s failed.

The federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) meanwhile
reports on its website that in BC freshwater systems "No Atlantic
salmon, of any life stage, were identified."

DFO asks anglers to report all captures of Atlantic salmon to
1-800-811-6010. Atlantic salmon have black spots on gill covers and the
escaped Atlantic salmon weigh about 10 lb

Pacific salmon in the Atlantic!

Vancouver Island anglers are not too surprised when they catch
Atlantic salmon. These are farmed salmon that have escaped their net pen
enclosures. Now the tables have turned, and Pacific salmon are being
caught in the Atlantic, in Irish salmon rivers. Pink salmon from the
Pacific have become an invasive species in the Moy, the Carrib and the
Cong rivers in Mayo and Galway. Some rivers in Scotland are also turning
up Pacific pink salmon.

Irish and Scottish fisheries scientists are concerned about the
impacts on native Atlantic salmon. Dr. Greg Forde head of Inland
Fisheries Ireland ruled out the possibility of these salmon making their
own way naturally from the Pacific.

If this is the result of deliberate human intervention, it was done
with expert knowledge of salmon biology.

HAVE YOUR SAY IN CHANGES TO THE FISHERIES ACT

The Government of Canada is inviting Canadians to join in a
conversation about the protections needed to ensure our fish have a
healthy environment to live, feed and reproduce, and healthy corridors
to migrate between these places.

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the
Canadian Coast Guard, announced the launch of an online public
consultation to seek Canadians’ views on recent changes to the Fisheries
Act.

This online public consultation is part of the Government’s Review of
Environmental and Regulatory Processes.

Canadians can share their views and have their voices heard by
visiting :

www.letstalkfishhabitat.ca

Quick Facts

- The Fisheries Act gives the government the powers to manage
Canadian fisheries and to protect habitat that supports them. It is an
essential tool to conserving the sustainability of our fisheries.

- Gaining royal assent in 1868, the Fisheries Act is one of Canada’s
oldest pieces of federal legislation. It was most recently amended in
2012. This current consultation is seeking Canadian’s views on whether
any lost protections from the latest amendment should be restored.

SOUTH ISLAND REPORT - VICTORIA, SIDNEY, SAANICH FISHING REPORT

Saltwater – Chinook fishing has been picking up around the South
Island. All fishing effort is targeting winter springs. Most of these
fish are from 3-6 lb. in size with some larger ones up to 11 lb.

Beacher Bay - Most of the fish seen at Cheanuh Marina came from the
Bedfords to Whirl Bay and were running up to 10 lb. Most of the fish
have been caught on spoons with Coho Killers, Gibbs Skinny Gs in Cop Car
and green and silver colours. The Highliner Guide Series Outfitters and
Lemon Lime, Silver Fever Hot Spot and Big Shooter Betsy have been
working well. Fish close to the bottom for the winter springs.

Pedder Bay Marina reports good fishing. It has really picked up
inside the bay and at Whirl Bay. Most of the fish have been close to the
bottom in 120 – 140 feet of water. That said, we did hear of one taken
at 60 feet on a shallow line in deep water. The salmon have been
reported up to 12 lb. Spoons have been producing the best and the Skinny
Gs, AP Tackleworks and Coho Killers are the top choices. Hootchies and
squirts with a green and glow, or UV white have been popular colour
choices for plastic baits. Flashers that are popular include the Guide
Series Madi, Outfitters and Lemon Lime.

Victoria waterfront - Good weather recently allowed a few anglers to
have really good success with lots of fish caught. Most of the salmon
were from 3 to 6 lb., although we did hear of a 10 lb. spring caught off
the flagpole. Constance Bank was really good on the east side. Closer
in, the salmon were between Trial Island and Finlayson Point in about
124 feet of water. Spoons have been successful in getting hook-ups with
Irish Cream Skinny Gs, green/glow AP Tackleworks Anchovy 4" spoons and
Green/Glow Coyote spoons popular choices.

Oak Bay - Salmon fishing was slow with a few fish coming in from the
Flats and the Gap but most of them have been fairly small with a 8 lb.
fish the largest that we have heard about. There was bait in Oak Bay so
things are looking up. The salmon are feeding on needlefish and have
been close to the bottom where the feed is located. Most of the anglers
have been either bottom bouncing or jigging close to the bottom.

Sidney - Anglers have not been reporting any success. Previously,
they had been catching springs but all of them have been undersized. The
area holding the most fish has been the Sidney Channel. Anglers using
spoons found that Coho Killers, Gibbs Needle G and G Force spoons the
most productive. Suggested colours are Trap Shack and Bon Chovy.
Anchovies and Tiny Strip were also good producers of fish with teaser
heads in UV purple.

Freshwater - Trout fishing has been good with lots of trout to be
caught as the Vancouver Island Fish hatchery fall stocking program of
catchable triploid rainbow trout in South Island lakes has been ongoing.

Shore anglers are catching trout on Powerbait, Gulp Eggs, or worms
while fishing close to the bottom. Pink, chartreuse and fluorescent
yellow have been good choices recently for Powerbait. Fly anglers are
fishing Wooly Buggers, leeches and Muddler Minnow patterns on full sink
fly lines most of the time to get into the lower water levels. Trollers
are catching trout with worms fished behind Gang Trolls and on Wedding
Bands. Two inch Tomic plugs have also been working well for trout.

BASS - During the day, soft plastics rigged Carolina style work well
and crank baits can also work well. Soft plastics rigged Texas style are
another good choice when fishing drop offs and deeper structure. The
most productive colours in 4" Yum baits are Smoke or Pumpkinseed.
Langford Lake, Shawnigan Lake, Prospect Lake and Elk and Beaver lakes
are the best local bass lakes. St. Mary Lake on Salt Spring Island is
also a great lake for bass fishing.

Island Outfitters, 3319 Douglas St., Victoria, ph: 475-4969

SOOKE REPORT

Winter spring fishing has started off good between the Sooke Bluffs
and Otter Point and between Possession and the Bluffs.

Best fishing depths seem to be from 120 to 150 ft. working the
bottom. Anchovies have been working well in green and UV chartreuse and
glow white teaser heads. For flashers try Purple Onion, glow red, green,
and purple Hot Spots. For spoons try Coho Killers Cop Car, Speckleback
chartreuse glow and purple glow, and G-Force and Gypsy spoons are
working good also. Plastic has also been working pretty good - try
Purple Haze, Electric Chair, and glow white.

A reminder that the Sooke Annual Boxing Day Derby is on again this
year. First place this year is $3000 with lots of other prizes. For more
information phone 250-642-7983.

reshwater - Cowichan Lake fishing for trout has picked up. The new
Best Lures wooden plugs in #304 Outcast and #309 Live Wire, trolled
quickly (2.5+ knots) are catching the most big trout. Try trolling off
creek mouths. These plugs run a bit deeper than other lures and don’t
loose action or roll at faster speeds. Also good success with Tomic
plugs in iridescent colours, Gang Trolls (The larger the better.) 24-30"
leader and size 5-7 Kwikfish or Flatfish chrome, blue and Frog patterns
best. Fly casting at creek mouths with Wooley Buggers or leeches.

Remember bait ban and single barbless hooks until April 15. Cutthroat
and rainbow trout over 50 cm must be released.

Kissinger and Lizard lakes to the west, good rainbow trout fishing,
try Corky and single egg rigs off the docks and beaches. Troll with
small Spratleys, leeches, Wooley Buggers, Flatfish and small spoons.

Skutz Falls to 70.2 trestle excellent for browns and rainbows. Single
egg copies and minnows or Rolled Muddler flies. Greendale trestle to
70.2 trestle loaded with rainbows that have dropped from the lake to
dine on the salmon eggs and prepare for spawning. The largest browns in
the river are found in this section. Flies of choice: single egg
patterns, Rolled Muddlers, Prince Nymphs, Hair’s Ear Bymphs, Pheasant
Tail Nymphs. Stick to the bead heads and weighted flies - the river is
still quite high as it is important to get down deep.

Best flies for coho are blue Rolled Muddlers, Micky Finns or Jim
Humphrey’s famous river salmon flies.

Best spinning lures for coho: Vibrax, gold/orange size 3 or
silver/pink in size 3 also Gibbs Croc spoons in hammered brass or copper
with fire stripe.

Steelhead fishing - Cowichan River - Try Silver Bridge area for early
steelhead. Pink worms (we stock 17 shades), blades, Spin-n-Glos are good
bets, but the new Trout Beads in Blood Dot are the best choice for
steelhead or coho. I wouldn’t bother casting anything else.

Mid river (Riverbottom Road area) try pink worms, blades and smaller
roe imitations. December/January yields the largest fish of the season
followed by the February/March run of smaller but more plentiful fish.

Nitinat, San Juan, Harris Creek - All excellent rivers for late
summer runs and winter steelhead. Best fished when coming off of high
water.

Flies of choice: Always popular egg and roe copies, the best of the
best are Jim Humphrey’s Intruder Flies that could entice a strike at any
time. Put your time in and as the weather improves the odds of landing a
winter steelhead will only get better.

Saltwater - November wind storms kept most anglers off the water, but
there were fish out there. The late arrival of rains kept returning
salmon in the saltwater longer, but soon the winter chinook will be the
main show.

Fish deep, 180-200 feet, trolling Homeland Security and Irish Cream
spoons (for two years the top producers), or green Speckleback or Army
Truck or white double glow hootchies. Pink hootchies were catching lots
of chinooks this year, so give them a try if nothing else is producing.
Good flashers this season were Betsys in gold, greens and yellows.

Halibut, lingcod and bottomfish remain closed until the spring.

Prawning and crabbing have been good, and usually worthwhile over the
winter. Check DFO for prawn closures to protect egg bearing females.

Freshwater - Fishing for chum and coho salmon was good in the Nanaimo
River during November. There should still be some coho in the river now.
Usually the Nanaimo River opens later for steelhead in the lower
portions between the bridges.

Trout fishing in the lakes is good through the winter except during
an Arctic snap. Fly fishers go deep with sinking line and wet flies like
Pumpkinhead Wooly Buggers. Or try trolling a Flatfish or casting
spinners.

Gone Fishin’, 600-2980 North Island Hwy., Nanaimo, ph:
250-758-7726

FRENCH CREEK / PARKSVILLE / QUALICUM REPORT

The best way to winterize your boat is to keep fishing! A great way
to break up a wet winter is to find a day when the wind and sun
cooperate and head out on the salt chuck. Nothing like a crisp day, flat
seas, back dropped with fresh snow on our local mountains.

Last winter was very productive for "winter chinooks" in local
waters. At time of writing this report (early November) I had been
releasing a lot of undersized chinooks, this should set the table for a
good winter fishery. A welcomed sight after a lower than expected
chinook salmon return.

Winter chinooks (two and three-year-old resident salmon) will hold in
our area providing there is bait (usually herring) to satisfy their
appetites. Winter chinooks tend to be deep so keep the downriggers just
off the bottom, troll a bit faster than usual (2 1/2-3 MPH) as well.
Covering lots of water is key, as these salmon are on the move looking
for food.

Brighter coloured 4" spoons in neon glow/pink strip (48"-60") leader
with a crushed ice/glow flasher work well. Having some glow material on
flashers, spoons, hootchies, and teaser heads can help to grab their
attention in low light conditions. Now is the time to try bait again (anchovie,
herring, herring strip) as the dogfish have moved out seeking warmer
water. A glow teaser head (48"-60" leader) with a green/glow flasher
should do the trick.

Chinook salmon tend to feed near structure so areas like Out Front,
on the Humps, Mistaken Island, Gerald Island, and Ballenas Islands are
good starting points. These salmon are some of the best eating, with
cooler water temperatures they have more fat content and beautiful red
flesh.

Winter is a nice time to prawn and crab as well. Keep an eye out for
spawning female prawns (eggs attached) during the winter months,
recommended to return these, or better yet move to another area if
you’re getting a lot of females in one particular spot. Crab is nice and
fresh with less molting (soft shell) crab in the winter. It's also a
great time of year to harvest some oysters and clams.

As far as the boat goes, It's a good idea to stabilize your fuel in
the off season. Running the boat once a month keeps your batteries up
and things moving so you might as well take an extra step or two and
find that perfect day to hit the water. The taste of fresh seafood in
the winter will always bring a smile to your face so what are you
waiting for?

Darrell Jobb, Western Star Charters, (250) 951-5927

MID-ISLAND RIVERS AND BEACH FISHING

After an Indian summer that lasted to the end of October the winter
is upon us, and the height of the fishing season is over. It was a
difficult summer with very little water, but fishing got better with the
rainfall of late fall. As I write this in November most rivers are
falling in height and are fishable.

Good sport was enjoyed on most local rivers with bright chinook, coho
and chum being caught on both fly and gear. Earlier the pinks eventually
arrived off mid-Island beaches in August and September, but not in great
numbers. Coho salmon off the beaches were elusive and whether you caught
fish or not was based around being in the right place at the right time
or just being plain lucky! Fishermen using gear could often get to the
fish that the fly guys couldn’t reach.

In freshwater, steelheaders will be chasing this fantastic fish in
Vancouver Island rivers, the most famous of which are the Stamp and the
Cowichan. Fly fishermen will use large marabou patterns and Woolly
Buggers in bright colours. Large rubber legged nymphs also work well
close to the bottom. However, the majority will be caught on gear using
Jensen Eggs, Corkies, Spin-n-Glos, or pink worms under dink floats with
pencil lead.

A recent trip chasing steelhead on a west coast river resulted in my
pal and I covering several kilometers of river in search of this iconic
species, and for once I was rewarded with a beautiful wild fish of about
8 lb. taken on the fly.

Some hardy types will be out on the salt chuck after feeder chinook
on the finer days of winter. These are young fish typically two- or
three-years-old. In general they are more active feeders than summer
fish. As a result you can fish faster and cover more water.

As I write this there are still late runs of chum and coho salmon. In
many east coast rivers anglers had good sport on the fly in the Little
Qualicum, and on fly and gear in the Englishman River.

Trout fishing can be good between now and the depths of winter.
Fishing with egg patterns often finds the bigger fish that have followed
the spawning salmon into local rivers.

At this time of year thoughts turn to the festive season ahead and
perhaps what to get the fisherman or lady fisher in your life. We can
help with appropriate equipment and gift vouchers.

For anyone aspiring to get into fly fishing we run learn to fly fish
courses, and have some great Echo Base fly fishing kits (rod, reel,
line, backing and leader) which are great value and come, unusually,
with a lifetime warranty on the rod. Check our website for more
information. In the New Year we will hold our Annual January Sale with a
huge range of deals across the store.

Whatever your passion we have all the right tackle and advice to help
you catch more fish.

Saltwater - Winter chinook salmon fishing in Barkley Sound usually
starts around Christmas or New Years and takes us through to early
summer, but there are a few fish out there now. Late January is always a
great time for salmon, also in March during the Sproat Lake Loggers
salmon derby.

The Alberni Canal, Vernon Bay and Ten Mile Point are a couple of the
reliable hot spots for winter springs. Troll at 100-150 feet with
anchovies or small spoons in Army Truck or hootchies in alligator and
prawn patterns.

Halibut, lingcod and bottomfish remain closed until the spring.

Freshwater - River fishing for steelhead has been fantastic this fall
with numbers over double the previous year’s. In the upper river fish
with egg imitations like Trout Beads and Blood Dot Trout Beads, or egg
imitation fly patterns or marabou jigs, anything to imitate coho salmon
eggs will interest the steelhead. We’re hoping the strong fall fishery
will turn into a great winter steelhead season. Usually the winter run
fish begin to show up around the New Year.

For a different steelhead experience try casting plugs off the Great
Central Lake bridge and do some stationary trolling.

For trout fishing the big lower elevation lakes are always
productive. It’s just a matter of battling the weather or picking a nice
day to get out on the water. Find a sunny day and troll some plugs. Try
the new Best Lure handcarved wooden lures, or troll big Gang Trolls with
Flatfish, Wedding Bands (with a piece of worm), or bottom fish from
shore with a worm or Powerbait. Fly fishers stick to wet flies like
leeches, Muddlers and Spratleys.

Good luck. Gone Fishin’ 4985 Johnston, Port Alberni, ph:
250-723-1172

COURTENAY / COMOX AREA

Saltwater - Hello winter, good-bye dogfish! The best thing about
salmon fishing in the winter is these pesky little sharks have migrated
to warmer water. This is an ideal time to troll anchovies and herring
for feeder chinook.

There have been early reports of fish being caught around Point
Holmes, but Kitty Coleman and Grants Reef should see some nice schools
of salmon over the course of the winter. During November through to
January, the water is very clear, so flashers are not required. Smaller
spoons and Tomic plugs that mimic live bait will be super effective.
This is also a great time of year to try jigging off the edge of a bait
ball for salmon. As always, Point Wilson Darts are hot, but also stock
up on some Blue Fox Gomame jigs.

Freshwater - As the chum salmon finish their annual run up the
Puntledge River, those wishing to continue river fishing will have to
shift their focus to trout and steelhead. This is strictly a
catch-and-release fishery in the Puntledge. Fly anglers should make sure
their leaders and lines are heavy enough to sink down to fish lurking at
the bottom. Worm patterns can be extremely effective, plus they are easy
to tie. Your fly box should also be stocked up with egg patterns and
stoneflies. Steelhead will respond to blue, purple and black Intruders.
For those using a spinning or bait casting set-up, try using bubblegum
pink worms or Gooey Bobs in BC Orange. Puntledge Park is a popular place
to fish the river, but anglers should be mindful of the no fishing zone
at the mouth of Morrison Creek.

The angler willing to brave long hours in the cold, sitting at the
side of a lake, will be rewarded. Winter is regarded by some as the best
season to fish for trout. Maple Lake and Wolf Lake are both great places
to chuck a worm and bobber, or some chartreuse Powerbait. Doc Spratley
and marabou leech patterns are good all season.

If early temperatures are a sign of things to come, there is a chance
Maple Lake will freeze over. If this happens, take this rare opportunity
to do some ice fishing. Please keep in mind that ice should be at least
four inches thick to safely walk across.

Saltwater - Those who tuck their boats away for the winter miss out
on some great fishing opportunities in Campbell River. There are plenty
of feeder chinook salmon being caught off the Hump at a depth of 180 ft.
Winter chinook are active and aggressive feeders, so a faster troll is
acceptable. Durabait anchovies and five inch Coyote spoons are perfect
for enticing these feisty fish. The colder currents have driven away the
dogfish, so this is an excellent time to troll small anchovies and
herring in a Rhys Davis teaser head.

Freshwater - Steelhead fishing in the Quinsam and Nimpkish rivers
should be heating up. These rivers are productive from mid November all
the way through till January. Pink or blue Intruders and egg sucking
leeches should be effective patterns for anglers using a fly rod. Last
year, set-ups using orange wool were bringing in lots of fish and this
year should be no different. Rubber worms and Gooey Bobs in bubblegum
pink are also great alternatives for gear casting.

Oyster River and Salmon River are both worth fishing during late
December through to the end of January. Remember you are fishing these
river systems in winter, so dress in layers and if using waders, wear
your wading belt! The last thing you want is to accidentally fall into a
river and have them fill up with frigid water. Your wading belt will
also trap air in your waders, providing some buoyancy should you fall
into deeper water. Wearing your wading belt however, is still not a
replacement for a good life jacket.

Roberts Lake should be at the top of your list when trying to decide
where to do some winter trout fishing. This lake has a bait ban, so the
good ole' worms and bobber will have to stay home. Try casting Krocodile
spoons or black and silver Flatfish around the drop off between the boat
launch and resort. The best way to fish Roberts Lake is to slowly troll
two or three inch plugs around the far side of the lake. There are
plenty of lunkers in this lake, but the maximum length you are allowed
to keep is 50 cm.

The end to a very busy and productive season has arrived at Westview
Marina & Lodge. Thanks to all of you and your crews for sharing your
fishing/catching holidays with us. There were many highlights this
season.

The return of Tyee salmon (30+ lb.) to Westview’s cleaning tables was
fun to watch. Halibut were found everywhere; standard sizes were 25-55
lb. Trolling for lingcod is the new norm - lots of action, very few
by-catches.

Westview’s Friday Night Buffets were hugely popular with great food
and beverages. Friday night also featured Rock the Dock live music
(country, jazz, rock, blues, etc.) always fun!

2017 fish stock report - We are happy to report that almost all the
local rivers and streams in Area 25 are teaming with chinook (springs)
and coho salmon. Escapement numbers of fish to the spawning grounds meet
or exceed the requirements for healthy salmon runs for the future.

The chum salmon are also showing up in good numbers throughout
Esperanza and Nootka. It is quite rewarding and amazing to see Mother
Nature at work. We could easily film a Discovery Channel show staring
thousands of fish, lots of black bears and bald eagles. It all means
that this healthy environment will yield excellent fishing for many
years to come.

2018 out-look – Fishing/catching projections for Area 25: Winter
spring/chinook salmon will begin to heat up as normal in January and
February when high pressure systems move in. Beautiful clear cool days
with good catching opportunities especially from Tahsis Narrows right
out to and around Centre Island. The vast majority of these springs will
be U.S. hatchery clipped traveling up our Island’s coastline in search
for food. They find the rich feeding grounds of Esperanza Inlet and
usually stay until early summer when they start the long trip south to
spawn. Winter springs average 6 -12 lb. but by March and April 10 - 6
lb. is normal and on occasions nearing 20 lb.

May – September chinook and coho salmon are expected to return in
greater numbers than the 2017 season. The 2017 season was an excellent
one, so the 2018 in season salmon fishing/catching will be great.

Remember that halibut fishing will start strong in the spring when
the projected large herring spawn occurs off Nuchatlaht and near the
Rolling Roadstead in Esperanza.

Most savvy salmon seekers attach Gagnon or heavy cod line to the end
of their downrigger lines before attaching their weights. This softer
line better withstands the bottom bouncing that fishing for winter
springs entails. If you prefer not to make your own, you can get
commercially made downrigger snubbers that are designed to withstand the
same abuse of bouncing on the bottom.

From Island Outfitters, Victoria

UCLUELET / LONG BEACH (This report from Autumn, 2017)

Chinook salmon fishing in close has been consistent the past 25 days
and most coming in the 15-25 lb. range. There have also been a few bites
at Outside Lighthouse and Southwest Corner.

The odd coho is showing up in close to shore and we expect coho
numbers to increase. There are quite a few coho and smaller chinook on
Big Bank. We expect the inshore fishing will be good for both chinook
and coho.

Lingcod are a favourite of mine and those can be caught in close to
shore.

There’s still a few chinooks around up here, and the coho have just
shown up. Fly fishermen are having fun with them. Halibut was tapering
off before the coast-wide closure, but we did have a good halibut
season. We had lots of spring salmon in the teens with a few in the 40s
and a couple in the 50s.

Now we can look forward to good coho fishing on the salt chuck and in
the rivers as well as lake trout fishing and then winter steelhead.

Jasmine from Campbell River caught her very first fish (at
Point Holmes) on her pink Barbie rod with a blue BuzzBomb. She was
persistent in wearing her pink princess dress to match her rod.

TIDAL WATERS FISHING LICENSES ONLY
ON-LINE

In the spring when it’s time to buy your
fishing licenses there will be some changes. Non-tidal licenses will remain
available from your fishing tackle store as well as the BC government
website. Tidal licenses however will no longer be for sale at any store,
they will only be available on-line for 2014.

As an attempt to go green by using less
paper the federal government will no longer print blank licenses. Anglers,
however, will have to print the on-line license and carry it with them when
fishing.

The federal government will also stop
offering vendors any incentive to sell licenses. Previously tackle shop
owners earned one dollar for each license sold. Not exactly a high profit
margin, but a bit of compensation for their time. So the federal government
will save money by not printing licenses and also by not sharing proceeds
with stores. Also going into extinction are printed tidal waters regulations
booklets. The government is banking on anglers carrying smart phones to
check regulations wherever they are fishing.

Many tourists will be caught unprepared, and
possibly find themselves paying fines for fishing without a license and
without a clear idea of fishing regulations.

A biological drive to put on weight for a long winter has
B.C.’s bears on the move, seeking out the calories they need before heading
to their dens.

In their desperation to get enough food, bears can get
aggressive, especially in areas close to human habitat. That’s when most
bear-human conflicts occur. If you’re fishing Island rivers there’s a chance
you may encounter bears drawn to the same shores.

Bears have an incredible sense of smell. They can zero in on
food from miles away and can be single-minded to get at that food. For a
bear, food comes in many forms, including garbage and over-ripe fruit in
residential areas.

Every bear encounter is unique so there are no steadfast
rules.

If you meet a bear in the wild try to remain calm. Never
approach or chase a bear; face the bear without making eye contact, back
away slowly. Take the same route out that you came in. Try to keep track of
the bear, but again, don't challenge the bear with eye contact.

If the bear makes blowing or snorting noises and then charges
and veers off at the last second this is likely defensive behavior so
continue to back away.Extend your arms above your head appearing as large as
you can, talk in a gruff voice, look for a weapon such as a rock or stick.
Drop your pack to distract the bear; only do this if absolutely necessary
because the bear could learn to pursue people for their packs.

Climb a tree as a last resort.

If a bear is persistent or aggressive, call the Report
Poachers and Polluters hotline 1- 877-952-7277, or surf to www.rapp.bc.ca.